Chile 8.8 Earthquake

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile earlier this morning at 06:34 GMT is said to have killed at least 122 people – The Chile 8.8 earthquake which hit about 60-80 miles north east of the Chilean city of Concepcion sparked Tsunami warnings in Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Japan, Pacific Islands and Central America. This is the biggest quake to hit Chile in 50 years.

Chile 8.8 Earthquake

The earthquake which registered 8.8 on the Richter scale is said to have killed 122 people but tragically this figure is bound to rise. In fact the Chilean national television is putting the number nearer 150. A wave of large size, triggered by the had been reported in the Juan Fernandez island group with water reaching some inhabited areas and in Franch Polynesia and Hawaii sirens warned peopel to move to higher ground. The Chilean president Bachelet who has declared a state of catastrophe is reported to have said: “People should remain calm. We’re doing everything we can with all the forces we have.”

Due to the fears of aftershocks people in Chile have been advised to go to higher ground. People have been told to avoid roads in areas damaged, or affected, by the earthquake because some bridges have collapsed. Chile is situated on the Pacific Rim of Fire tectonic plate and has a history of severe earthquakes. Due to its extended coastline Chile is also susceptible to the tsunamis triggered by earthquakes of this size.

The Chile 8.8 earthquake has caused massive damage across the nation with infrastructure being especailly badly hit making the delivery of aid difficult and treacherous.